672 



described as an Aspidium, but a glance at Schkuhr's figure of the 

 fi-uctification will show that Presl is right in referring it to the genus 



Cystopteris montana. 



Cystopteris. A specimen, obligingly lent me by Mr. Wilson for my 

 forthcoming reprint of ' British Ferns,' is figured above. — Id. 



337. Note on the preservation of Colour in specimens of Plants by 

 immersing them in Boiling Water. In the Report of Proceedings of 

 the Botanical Society of Edinburgh (Phytol. 189), Mr. Evans is said 

 to have preserved the colour of Lathraea squamaria, Asperula odorata, 

 &c., by immersing them in boiling water for a short time. Mr. 

 Sidebotham tells us (Id. 233) that he has tried the experiment, as 

 described by Mr. Evans, and that with him hot water turned Lathrsea 

 squamaria blacker than when prepared in the usual way. Since Mr. 

 Sidebotham expresses surprise at the experiment failing in his hands, 

 it would be well to know if the waters at Melville Castle be the same 

 as the water in the neighbourhood of Manchester ; and if all water at 

 a boiling heat would act in the same way on vegetables, so far as the 

 colouring matter is concerned. For before we can come to any con- 



